Pro*Act names new VP of sales
Pro*Act, a leading fresh produce supplier to the foodservice industry based in Monterey, CA, announced that Nick Proia has been promoted to vice president of sales. He assumes the responsibilities from Steve Finberg, who recently stepped down to accept a senior executive role at Adams Produce, one of Pro*Act's distribution companies.
Mr. Proia has over 20 years experience in the industry, holding sales and management positions in foodservice produce distribution, value-added processing and product development. Most recently, he was client services director for Pro*Act.
Fire and wind damage to California avocados not as severe as some expected
Widespread wildfires and even more widespread fierce Santa Ana winds in Southern California early in the week of Oct. 21 caused damage, and in some cases severe damage, to thousands of acres of avocados and other crops. But the scope of the damage to the state's total avocado crop is now believed to be lower than some in the industry initially feared and much lower than some early news reports indicated.
RETAIL VIEW: Sweetbay completes conversion process
The conversion of Florida's longtime Kash n' Karry supermarket chain to Sweetbay Supermarkets has been completed as the last Kash n' Karry went through the transformation this past summer.
Giumarra expands organic produce offering
LOS ANGELES -- Nick Rendon, sales manager of the Nogales division of the Giumarra Cos., announced Oct. 31 that Giumarra will be offering a line of organic products from Mexico this fall.
"We have worked with the Llano family from Guaymas, Sonora, for many years, and they have consistently supplied us with high-quality green peppers, colored bell peppers, cucumbers and cantaloupes," Mr. Rendon said in a statement. "In response to demand from our customers and consumers, Mr. Llano is now producing cantaloupes and shadehouse grown organic vegetables.
Challenging times in Florida apparently claim well-regarded tomato firm
One of the older and more respected tomato firms in Florida has apparently decided it can no longer overcome the many challenges the industry now faces to bring a product to market.
Taylor & Fulton Inc., based in Palmetto, FL, did not return calls from The Produce News seeking comment, but Jay Taylor, president of the company, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, "We have months ahead of us, but we are preparing to change direction. We're not ready to say yet. It's a little too early."
Navels and citrus specialties rebound from freeze, lemons still suffer
As Sunkist's John McGuigan aptly put it, the devastating effects of the January 2007 freeze are now, thankfully, "in the rear view mirror," so far as most California citrus items are concerned. Navel oranges have rebounded with good volume, good quality, a generally good size structure, an early start and virtually no residual effects from the freeze, as have other citrus varieties with one exception.
The exception is lemons, which continue in tight supply and are expected to remain tight and high-priced through the end of the year.
Mexico Supreme Quality set to form alliance with SQF
HOUSTON -- Mexico Calidad Suprema is a program that was initiated by the government of Mexico to assure that product bearing the program's logo meets rigid standards with regard to quality and safety.
Initially, certification requirements were established to include compliance with U.S. protocols for Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices.
Dulcinea Farms adds new melon variety to product line
HOUSTON -- Complementing its existing line of specialty melons, Dulcinea Farms has tested and will be introducing a new melon to the marketplace in summer 2008.
Sun World believes new grape variety is a winner
HOUSTON -- Although it's been 14 years in the making, Sun World's new grape variety is paying dividends, and company executives believe they have hit a home run with the new Scarlotta seedless variety.
The late-season variety produced 250,000 cartons this year and there are expectations for volume to increase for the next several years until it surpasses the 1 million-carton level. Increases after that will depend upon how many new acres are planted. Like other grape varieties, it takes three years from first planting to produce a commercial crop.
Hot lettuce market cools off, but f.o.b. remains strong
Although the f.o.b. prices for Iceberg lettuce that surpassed $35 in mid- October dropped considerably the third week of the month, the lettuce market remains strong, and experts said that the current conditions should hold for at least the next several weeks.